Welcome BACK to the series that will take up some downtime during the summer. I will go through the Carolina Hurricanes prospect farm, pick out a position group, and update everyone on these players. These updates will consist of how they played this past season, what strengths and weaknesses are in their game, and a projected (if there is one) NHL timeline. These lists will also be a ranking of the position as well, with players listed higher being the guys closer to the NHL and with more potential. For the final installment of the rankings, we’re going over left wingers, which is led by the top prospect in the system.
Shocker, Bradly Nadeau is super good at hockey. Maybe some of you readers have fatigue after seeing his name pop up almost everywhere you can read Hurricanes Prospect information, but I am the opposite. I want more Nadeau stuff, more in depth viewings, this guy is a true blue chip prospect. Following him is 2 of the recent draft picks and then guys that have intrigue, but need another factor or two in their game.
1. Bradly Nadeau, Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Last year’s stats: 85 GP, 37 goals, 39 assists, 76 points
Going to keep this one short and sweet, Nadeau is an NHL ready player and, realistically, has been for the better part of a year. This past season refined the defensive game and proved he can handle physicality. He’s ready.
Outlook for 2026/27: A trial run with the Canes to start the year? Then potentially some more time in Chicago.
Projected NHL ETA: 2026/27
2. Wiggo Sorensson, Boro/Vetlanda HC (Division 2)
Last year’s stats: 59 GP (combined from a lot of places), 62 goals, 56 assists, 118 points
Without context, those stats look incredibly funny. It’s not every day a prospect manages to produce at a 2 point per game pace throughout the entire season, but Wiggo managed to do that across 5 different leagues. This year, he should end up staying close to one place, this time with hometown team Boro/Vetlanda in HockeyEttan, Sweden’s 3rd tier league. He’ll play against age group competition with the Five Nations tournament coming up, which will give a good indication of where he is in his development. The offense is super intriguing, especially since he still produces against higher tier comp.
Outlook for 2026/27: As close to a full year in HockeyEttan as possible.
Projected NHL ETA: 2028/29
3. Mikey Berchild, US National U18 Team (NTDP)
Last year’s stats: 79 GP, 31 goals, 41 assists, 72 points
I hate NHL comps, but I’d be remiss not to mention that I see a little bit of Jackson Blake in Berchild. Slightly undersized, the combination of his hands and his motor creates an interesting player to watch. The production with the National Team during the year was decent, but his play at the Summer Showcase was also impressive. He’s handling himself physically around the net, he’s being a great play connector and, sometimes, a great play maker. His line with Ethan Wyttenbach and Wyatt Cullen was one of, if not, the best line for the US during the tournament and will likely stick as a line for the US going into the World Juniors.
Outlook for 2026/27: A year playing under one of the best coaches in the college game, David Carle at Denver.
Projected NHL ETA: 2028/29
4. Nikita Artamonov, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)
Last year’s stats: 66 GP, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points
Development isn’t linear, proven greatly by Artamonov from 2024-2026. You can go from a Top 5 U20 scoring season in the KHL to 10 combined points in over 50 games. His floor is still relatively known, having the potential to be an effective bottom 6 winger at the pro level. But it’s become harder to see the top 9, or even top 6, winger that showed flashes in his D+1. He needs to have a good year this year to get back on track.
Outlook for 2026/27: A role in the top 9 with Severstal in the KHL.
Projected NHL ETA: 2029/30
5. Filip Ekberg, Ottawa 67s (OHL)
Last year’s stats: 68 GP, 27 goals, 27 assists, 54 points
I seriously thought about putting Ekberg over Art here, but refrained after being talked out of it. But don’t get it wrong, Ekberg has improved pretty nicely over the past year. The OHL production won’t entirely show it, even though his playoff production is encouraging. To me, the showings he had at the World Junior Summer Showcase flashed a potential bottom 6 NHL winger if the skating can improve. The playmaking was there, the shot was evident, and he started thriving getting to middle and being the net front presence. Need to see another step up while being a primary player for Ottawa this year.
Outlook for 2026/27: Another year of being a top line winger in Ottawa.
Projected NHL ETA: 2029/30
6. Viggo Nordlund, IK Oskarshamn (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Last year’s stats: 63 GP, 15 goals, 20 assists, 35 points
It feels weird that I didn’t mention Nordlund a ton this year, at least in my eyes. This is a guy who led HockeyAllsvenskan in U20 points and goals, which is always impressive, especially considering the other talent he went up against in this category (1st round pick Elton Hermansson and 2nd round picks Milton Gastrin and Jakob Ihs-Wozniak). He’s a dynamic skill forward with good skating ability, the thing holding him back being his height (5’9) and his playstyle, mainly being perimeter based right now. If he can put together another good Allsvenskan season or get decent playing time in the SHL, he could easily keep rising up this list.
Outlook for 2026/27: Either a year of 4th line/13th forward minutes with Skelleftea or a loan.
Projected NHL ETA: 2030+
7. Oskar Vuollet, Skelleftea (SHL)
Last year’s stats: 60 GP, 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points
Leading off by saying congratulations to Oskar Vuollet and Skelleftea for winning the SHL Championship! Vuollet was mainly a bottom 6/fourth line winger but did contribute during the run. He added a little physical element to his game and wasn’t afraid to get dirty, something that is reflected in his playstyle. The complaint that was present during the past year was that he was perimeter player but he’s been much more willing to get to the front of the net and attack the middle.
Outlook for 2026/27: Another year with Skelleftea
Projected NHL ETA: Long shot
8. Gleb Trikozov, Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Last year’s stats: 46 GP, 7 goals, 4 assists, 11 points
Look, I asked for Gleb to stay healthy throughout the season and I got what I wanted. There were flashes of good play during the year from Gleb, primarily on the all Russian line with Ivan Ryabkin and Viktor Neuchev. Consistency in his play was a little scattered, something that can be remedied. I still believe there is some form of a NHL player in Gleb, but this year is going to be a big one in terms of that.
Outlook for 2026/27: A full HEALTHY year in Chicago
Projected NHL ETA: Long shot
9. Alexander Perevalov, Metallurg Novokuznetsk (VHL)
Last year’s stats: 75 GP, 23 goals, 18 assists, 41 points
Perevalov has battled a lot throughout his career already, multiple big injuries and illnesses. Now, as a VHL mainstay, he’s carved out a nice role with Metallurg Novokuznetsk as an offense presence. He’s got a great shot and solid instincts, plus the ability to play net front on the power play and not get outmuscled. If he can put together another good season, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him move back to the KHL, where I think he’ll carve out a nice career.
Outlook for 2026/27: Another year in the top 6 with Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Projected NHL ETA: Long shot
10. Stanislav Yarovoy, Khimik (VHL)
Last year’s stats: 66 GP, 12 goals, 16 assists, 28 points
A player that I took a great interest in following my in person viewing of him at Development Camp last year, Yarovoy had an up and down season before really turning it up in the playoffs. After having 19 points in the regular season, he went for 9 points in 19 playoff games, helping Khimik to a deep run in the VHL playoffs. The skill is evident and I like his ability getting to the net, but I want to see another jump in development, as well as some more consistency in play and production.
Outlook for 2026/27: Another year with Khimik in the VHL
Projected NHL ETA: Long shot
11. Timur Mukhanov, Torpedo (KHL)
Last year’s stats: 69 GP (combined from everywhere), 13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points
I’ll give credit to Mukhanov, he’s had stretches of really good play in almost all levels of Russian hockey, VHL excluded because he’s barely played at that level. There are moments of good play connecting ability and he’s a great skater. The height is a concern and the rest of his game isn’t great. His NHL chances are in the “long shot” category right now, with a KHL career being more likely at this point. I mean hell, he’s more than likely going to hit 200 KHL games this season as a 21 year old.
Outlook for 2026/27: A year in between the VHL and KHL.
Projected NHL ETA: Long shot